Breastfeeding consultants' body pauses sales after controversy over 'lactation for kinksters' speaker
Darragh Mc Donagh
The Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland (ALCI) has paused ticket sales for its forthcoming annual conference following controversy over the inclusion of a speaker who had previously given talks on “inducing lactation for kinksters” at fetish conventions.
Jacob Engelsman was scheduled to give a talk on “lactation support for gender-diverse families” at the event in Galway on October 9th and 10th.
In his book, Lactation for the Rest of Us: A Guide for Queer and Trans Parents and Helpers, he wrote that the reasons why men want to lactate include the desire to feed babies, and also “curiosity, fun, or sexual gratification”.
The inclusion of the US-based speaker in the conference programme had caused significant controversy, and a number of sex-based rights organisations had said they would protest at the event if Engelsman’s talk goes ahead.
The ALCI announced on its website today that there had been a change in the advertised programme “due to unforeseen circumstances on health and safety grounds”.
“We have paused ticket sales and temporarily removed this timetable and speaker details from our website while Council meets to consider next steps. We are currently exploring options,” it added.
“We appreciate your understanding and continued support.”
The Health Service Executive (HSE), which provides annual funding of around €9,000 to the ALCI, had defended the planned talk, saying that an increasing number of babies were being born into “diverse family structures”.
It said Engelsman would be attending the conference to speak on lactation support for gender-diverse families, as well as giving a talk titled Communicating Inclusively: Creating Gender-Affirming Clinical Spaces for Families.
“Providing ALCI practitioners with opportunities to increase their lactation knowledge and skills to support families of all structures and backgrounds is necessary and in line with equality legislation and inclusion strategies in Ireland,” said a HSE spokeswoman.
The decision to feature Engelsman at the conference has been criticised by Jill Nesbitt of Women’s Space Ireland – one of the organisations that has plans to protest in Galway if the talk goes ahead.
“It’s a perversion to suggest that men can put a baby to their nipples or attempt to lactate,” she said.
“Breastfeeding mothers are very careful in what they eat or drink in order not to harm their child and put their baby’s best interests first. Men attempting to lactate to feed a baby is child abuse.
“A baby can’t consent to being used as a prop for a man’s sexual fetish,” added Nesbitt.
Engelsman and the ALCI did not respond to queries, but the organisation states on its website that it is not responsible for the content of presentations at its conference, and does not necessarily endorse the views of its speakers.
Nesbitt described this as a “cop-out” and questioned why an organisation in receipt of government funding would host the talk by Engelsman.
